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According to Wikipedia, The Greatest Generation is a term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe the generation of Americans who grew up during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and then went on to fight in World War II, as well as those whose productivity within the war's home front made a decisive material contribution to the war effort.The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the United States, the 400,000 + who died, and all who supported the war effort from home.
Honor Flight provides a safe, memorable, and rewarding tour. The initial Honor Flight took place in May 2005. Six small planes carried World War II veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The HyVee-sponsored Central Iowa Honor Flight allowed 350 World War II veterans the opportunity to travel on a 747 from Des Moines to Washington, D.C., on August 11, 2009, to see the memorial dedicated to them in the nation's capitol. The veterans also saw the Iwo Jima Monument, the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Korean and Viet Nam memorials, and Arlington Cemetery. My father was among those 350 veterans. We thank HyVee, Central Iowa Honor Flight, Northwest Airlines, and KCCI as well as the many volunteers and unknown donors who made this trip possible. I thank my father, whose service in the Army during World War II helped pave the way to the liberties I experience today. I also thank all veterans for their service to this great country ~ the United States of America!
